How to repair a leaking radiator by soldering

[@Ted3422]

I watched my father use those same types of tools in the 60,s to do that same repair. He even had that same torch. Never did know what fuel it used. So sad that we now throw away rather than repair. What you do is a lost art. Thanks for posting, brings back many fond memories of time spent in my fathers little shop. I,m 65 now and he is long gone.

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

Thank you for your comment. Glad it brought back good memories. This type of torch are gasoline torches and I fill it with regular pump gas. Well, modern cars have radiators of plastic and aluminium. I haven't even tried to repair one. This art, if it can be called an art, is not to difficult everyone could be able to do it with a little training the only issue is the modern lead free solder cannot be used. it has a too high melting temperature. luckily old lead/tin solder can still be found in flee markets and such. They already tried to repair this radiator. They probably tried with oxy-acetylene torch because it had a meltdown in the center. Thats why I had to remove three cells.

[@chrispratt7561]

My dad and grandfather repaired my radiator once when I came home from college and it sprung a leak. I was able to borrow a car, and when I came back the following weekend, it was fixed. I am so grateful to this day but wish I was able to watch Grandpa in action. This is close. Thank you.

[@chrispratt7561]

Also, as a side note, this is a bit of an accidental ASMR video. Very calming.

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

Glad you feel that way and Grandpa was surely happy he could help you with your car. Good that you find it relaxing even though I have not made any attempt to do an ASMR video on purpose but that's maybe something I have to consider. I'm not talking that much anyhow :)

[@merykjenkins3274]

Some great tips in there, especially using the radiator cap when pressure testing to ensure that the radiator cannot over pressurise. I have repairs to do on my 1968 Land Rover radiator, and was looking for the technique with the lowest risk to repair the cracks and perhaps plugging a core if I need to. This is the best video for that by far, everyone else is attacking the radiator with high temperature blow torches. Thanks for the video!

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

Thank you and I’m glad you liked it. Perhaps those who are really skilled at radiator repairs and have long practice can use big blow torches but I’m not that good at it and have to be gentle about it. Good luck with your repairs!

[@mark3547]

Hello again. I've watched all your video's and really appreciate your style and content. Please make and post more. Love your Challenger.

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

Thank you for the comment. I have some more coming :)

[@mikeclement5383]

I'm about to try this on my old Ford Jubilee tractor.

[@joelkeinanen1028]

Bra film!

[@MrCrasch69]

Bravo

[@carlplz00001]

Real Mechanic

[@ron1836]

Is it better to remove an entire core tube or to crimp and solder and leave it in place? Seems that either way you lose cooling ability but atleast by leaving partial tubes in place it can still be there to disapate heat.

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

It would probably be possible to leave it but I find it rather difficult to crimp it and solder it so that it seals. It is almost impossible to clean the tubes inside. It is easyer to get a good solder when it is removed interely.

[@ron1836]

What is that white stone you use to tin the tip? I recently found an old gasoline torch. An old bernzomatic. Seems to be from the 1930's maybe. I have a radiator in my car leaking. I am going to try fixing it when the weather gets a little better. Because I don't have a garage to work in. You say that it's best to find solder with lead? The new stuff won't work? What about if you use propane directly into the surface. No soldering iron..?

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

The white stone is called many different things, ammonium chloride, sal-amonium or something similar. has been used for ages to clean and re-tin the tip. To heat directly with a propane torch is difficult and gives no time to work the solder. The soldering iron gives you the possibility to heat the metal just enogh to melt the tin. The lead-free solder has a very narrow melting point and will just melt away and is much more difficult to work with. It is either hard or melts away. Lead-solder has a point were it is soft and can be worked. using propane on lead-free solder sort of dubbles the problems :) But of course, with more practice it is perhaps possible.

[@chadmoyer1453]

Is that flux just regular flux?

[@acghifiaudio-vinyland78rpm53]

No I’m using a older solder which already have flux in it. Sometime I apply som soldering butter but the white stuff us a block of Sal Ammoniac that yoy can still buy and is the best thing ever invented to clean and tin your soldering iron. Was used by the old-timers and it works so good I’m surprised we can still buy it 😀

[@jameshawkins2654]

Bro. New radiator for $100 vs 3-4 hours of time.

[@ifixmycarmyself2502]

@@jameshawkins2654 Bro, no, more close to 500 for one made in you know were, 1600 for an oe premium quality from Year One. But that aint the point. My channel is more for those who try to develop skill to repair their vehicle themselves. Those who want to develop skills to order new things online will find better channels out there, im sure 🙂